Chapter 140: Negative Rumors Spreading Before the Start
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140: Negative Rumors Spreading Before the Start
I returned to the dormitory.
Hong Chenyi had been waiting in the living room for quite a while, seemingly trying to express her apology for coming back early.
"I'm so sorry, Sister Xiao Han. I didn't mean to leave you behind in the meditation room. It’s just... I was thinking... I thought..."
"It’s fine, I don't mind at all," I said, waving my hand dismissively to show I wasn't upset. "If you make such a big deal out of it, it’ll just make things awkward between us. There’s really no need to be so petty over something like that."
However, as I looked at the dishes laid out on the dining table not far from the living room, I was a bit surprised. "Wait, who cooked all that?"
"Hmm? Oh! Xiao Yu made those," Hong Chenyi explained, looking toward the table. "Xiao Yu really loves cooking, though her palate is a bit on the light side. You’re always so busy, Sister Xiao Han, you probably haven't seen her in the kitchen much, have you?"
Actually, I had seen Yu Yuetian cook several times; I just wasn't quite used to having a dedicated "chef" in the villa.
"I’ve seen her a few times in the mornings. But what’s going on this time? Why is it all still sitting there?"
"Um... I’ll tell you quietly," Hong Chenyi whispered. "The dishes Yu Yuetian made today are a bit... unique. None of us could really stomach them, so we just left them there. Xiao Yu plans to eat them tomorrow. Right now, she’s probably in her room shedding little pearls because her cooking wasn't appreciated."
"Uh... I see," I sighed, rubbing my forehead. I really couldn't imagine the image of Yu Yuetian "shedding little pearls."
Still, I couldn't suppress my curiosity and walked over to see what exactly was on the table. After all, we were roommates in the same villa; even if the food was mediocre, everyone usually showed some support—unless it was truly inedible.
As I got closer, I saw that there were indeed quite a few dishes, but most were very bland-looking vegetables. They certainly didn't look appetizing, but surely they weren't that bad?
"Sister Xiao Han, want a taste? There’s absolutely no salt in them."
"Huh?" I blurted out as Hong Chenyi leaned in and whispered the secret.
No salt?
Is she trying to help us ascend to a higher plane of existence through asceticism?
In the end, I gave up on the idea of trying it. I didn't want to torture my taste buds. I needed to rest well today and worry about everything else tomorrow.
"Hey, wait, Sister Xiao Han! Are you going to bed already? Isn't your sleep schedule a bit too healthy? Besides, aren't you curious about your ranking?"
"Ranking? What ranking? The one you mentioned before?" I asked, pausing. Yu Yuetian had mentioned it to me too—a post on the academy network predicting the combat power rankings for the upcoming Class Competition. I heard it was quite popular, but I hadn't found the time to look at it.
And hadn't they said I wasn't even on the list?
Did I suddenly appear on it just because of today?
"Yes! That one! Someone did a detailed analysis based on your fight today, Sister Xiao Han. They actually ranked you outside the top one hundred! They’re being so mean!"
Hong Chenyi’s tone was incredibly agitated, clearly indignant on my behalf.
"Alright, don't get worked up over someone’s subjective imagination. I don't really care," I said soothingly.
"But the comments they left about you are so unfriendly! They even dug up the fact that you have course exemptions and compared you to Tan Han from Class 1! They’re acting like you’re completely worthless. It makes me so mad!" Hong Chenyi clearly wasn't going to let it go just because of my words. From the sound of it, the evaluation of me on that post was indeed very hostile.
Sigh... This is a bit of a headache. Should I find an appropriate time to show off my strength?
After all, I represent Class 14 as a whole. If I’m humiliated, the entire class loses face.
But I knew all too well that there would always be people who loved to watch the world burn. Unless I could shut them up once and for all, they would keep acting like annoying pests—disgusting and impossible to fully eradicate.
Forget it. I’ll just send a few comforting messages in the class group chat before bed. Since Hong Chenyi had seen it, the rest of the class surely had too. With a little push, it wouldn't be long before everyone knew.
Before sleeping, I popped into the group chat. I only meant to say a quick hello, but I was immediately surrounded by people complaining. I had to admit, sometimes they got information faster than I did as the Class Monitor. They kept posting screenshots for me to see.
I had originally planned to catch up on sleep since my mental power was drained after meditation, but being forced to look at these screenshots and provocations was giving me an aneurysm. It wasn't like I didn't have a temper, but since I couldn't solve the problem right this second, I had to take the lead in calming everyone down.
After dealing with that mess for a while, I finally drifted off into a hazy sleep.
The next morning, I woke up much later than usual, still feeling that lingering desire to stay in bed.
After getting up, I opened the Class Mutual Aid Group. It was filled with chat logs from their all-night session; even now, people were still active.
However, I saw a greeting from Sister Bai. It was sent in the early hours of the morning—was she still awake then?
I skimmed the content; it was also about the viral ranking prediction and information integration post.
Seeing Sister Bai’s comfort first thing in the morning made my mood significantly better.
After a brief reply to let her know I was fine, I began planning my day.
Calculating the time, the Class Competition officially starts the day after tomorrow. That meant I had today and tomorrow to prepare.
The academy had already released the official announcement listing the participants for each class, which could be viewed on the academy system.
Only then did I realize that the Witch Academy had 364 classes!
If every class had a similar number of students to Class 14, the total enrollment was quite high. Though, compared to the scale of this entire world, it wasn't actually that many.
And one mustn't forget the efforts of those tireless Senior Sisters. Weren't the high-quality freshmen they "kidnapped" part of the headcount?
With over three hundred classes, there would be over three hundred representatives on stage. If they were going to rank them all, how long would that take?
The academy announcement mentioned that the Class Competition would take place in the academy's largest open-air Arena, with the space divided into different zones for matches. I hadn't been there yet.
So, my plan for today was to first visit the Senior Sisters at the club, since I hadn't been there in a while due to classes starting. After that, I’d head to the Arena to "scout the map" and familiarize myself with the venue.
With whatever time was left, I’d study my Spirit Cat Summoning spell and think about how that cute little kitten could help me fight.
Just as I was heading out, my phone buzzed again. It was from Sister Bai. I had set her as a "Special Follow" contact, so I recognized her unique notification immediately.
Bai Yu: Is Xiao Han awake yet?
Yang Yuehan: I’m up~ Sister Bai, why are you contacting me so early?
Bai Yu: It’s nothing. Did you sleep well last night?
Yang Yuehan: It was alright. Sister Bai, if you have something to say, just say it.
Bai Yu: Alright. Xiao Han, you aren't being affected by those rumors at the academy, are you?
Yang Yuehan: Of course not. I’m not the type to be easily swayed by what others say.
Bai Yu: Good, I believe you. I’m coming to see you; I have some things to give you.
Bai Yu: I should have given them to you earlier, but I got delayed. Where are you now? I’ll come to you.
Yang Yuehan: I’m about to head to the bakery. I haven't visited in a while. How about I wait for you there?
Bai Yu: Okay. I’ll get there as soon as I can.
I stared blankly at the messages for a moment. Once I was sure Sister Bai wasn't going to reply further, I tucked my phone away.
The bakery wasn't far from my residence—just across the street. I arrived quickly, not even needing my broom.
When I reached the bakery, it was already open for business. There seemed to be quite a few customers; it looked like as more students moved into the area, the foot traffic had increased.
No more slacking off for me, then.
"Senior Sister Ying Shiqian, busy already this morning?" I walked into the bakery, picked up a bag of bread from the shelf for breakfast, and headed to the counter to pay. Ying Shiqian was the one working the front desk.
"Hmm? That’ll be... eh? Xiao Han? You actually came?"
Ying Shiqian, who had been mechanically repeating her motions, was startled by my voice. It took her a second to realize it was me.
"Yep. Surprised, Senior Sister? I came to visit you~" I quickly paid and moved to the side so I wouldn't hold up the line.
"Xiao Han~! I thought you’d forgotten all about me! You must be here to rescue me from this place!" Ying Shiqian grabbed my hand excitedly, as if she’d seen her savior.
Before the term started, this had been my exclusive spot. I hadn't been here for a while, so for a slacker like Ying Shiqian, this busy period was pure torture.
It wasn't that there were too many customers, but rather that the frequency was higher than before. Her "loafing time" was being fragmented into tiny pieces rather than one solid block. The experience was completely different.
"Alright, alright~ honestly." I checked the time. Sister Bai would be here soon, and I’d likely be staying for a while, so I might as well help out.
"Give me a second. I’ll go to the back, change my clothes, and come help—"
Just as I was about to head to the changing room in the back, a figure stepped out and blocked my path.
"Oh? Senior Sister Tang Yihan, it’s been a while." A flash of surprise crossed my eyes, and I immediately greeted her.
"Xiao Han, don't come here just to join the chaos. Aren't you the Class Monitor of Class 14 now? Don't waste your time here." Having said that, Tang Yihan turned her gaze toward Ying Shiqian. "Shiqian, what were you thinking? Asking Xiao Han to help? Xiao Han has more important things to do. I asked you earlier if you needed help and you said no. If you’re tired, tell me; it’s not like I can't help out at the front."
"Uh... that... sorry, Xiao Han. I, I forgot. Gosh, I apologize, Xiao Han~! Forget it, what I said just now doesn't count. What do you want to eat this morning? Take whatever you want, it’s on the house!"
"Ying Shiqian, if you do that, I’m charging it to your personal account!"
"Huh? Oh... waaah, I barely have any money as it is, and you’re still deducting, deducting, deducting..."
Senior Sister Ying Shiqian immediately reverted to her usual state of whining and crying. It seemed Senior Sister Tang Yihan’s authority over her was still as terrifying as ever.